Despite temperatures that have been consistently above normal for most
of the past week, the fall bird migration at Presqu'ile Provincial Park
is right on schedule, with birds whose numbers typically peak in October
beginning to show up in increasing numbers.
A Common Loon was in Presqu'ile Bay on September 28, and Horned Grebes
can usually be found in small numbers far out in Popham Bay unless rough
water makes viewing them impossible. Great Egrets have been feeding in
the marsh on most mornings, with a high count of four. An immature
Black-crowned Night-Heron was at the calf pasture on September 25.
The Snow Goose that was found on the beach last week re-appeared on
September 22 and 23, and six of that species were on Gull Island on
September 26. There was also an unconfirmed report of eight Tundra
Swans in Popham Bay on the following day. The first Ring-necked Duck of
the season was in the marsh on September 23, and Lesser Scaups have been
in Presqu'ile Bay off 38 Bayshore Road since September 27. White-winged
Scoters have been appearing in singles and small flocks for most of the
past week, but for some reason there have been almost as many dead and
dying birds of that species along the shores of Gull Island.
A Bald Eagle, typically a fall and winter bird at Presqu'ile, was found
on September 24. Two Ruffed Grouse sightings in the past week included
a bird in the unusual location of Owen Point. The shorebird migration
has wound down considerably, but twelve species remained this week.
Among the Black-bellied Plovers that are present on the beach and on
Gull Island there is one American Golden-Plover that has been seen at
least three times in the past five days. Two Lesser Yellowlegs on
September 27 were the first of that species in the Park for a few
weeks. One Whimbrel has been lingering on Gull Island at least until
the record late date of September 27. Although the Lesser Black-backed
Gull that had put in a brief appearance on September 19 appeared to have
moved on by the following morning and was not found for several days
thereafter, a sighting was reported on September 23.
The most reliable location at Presqu'ile for finding Northern Saw-whet
Owls is High Bluff Island, which is temporarily off limits to anyone
besides Park staff and duck hunters. With that species due to arrive
imminently, it is hoped that the restrictions will soon be lifted.
The most recent Ruby-throated Hummingbird sighting was on September 24.
Only two species of flycatcher were found in the Park this week: Eastern
Wood-Pewee and Eastern Phoebe. However, birders with a long memory have
not forgotten that it was in the last few days of September that a
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher posed some years ago for a large number of
delighted birders.
Again this week, three Common Ravens were performing aerobatics over the
Park, this time at the start of the Owen Point trail on September 24.
Warblers were surprisingly plentiful during the past week (at least
seventeen species), with several observers finding Orange-crowned
Warblers, generally a later migrant. Sparrows are ubiquitous in the
Park these days. On Gull Island in particular, those who have been
willing to fight their way through dense clumps of weeds have found
large numbers and a good variety, the highlights being a Grasshopper
Sparrow on September 27 and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows on two
different days. A Lapland Longspur was also there on September 27. On
September 25 there was an Indigo Bunting at Owen Point. A Purple Finch
was near the lighthouse on September 24.
To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton.
Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid
that is available at the Park gate. Visitors to Gull Island should be
prepared to wade through shin-deep water in which there is often a swift
current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven. It should also be noted
that, because duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays,
Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island, High Bluff Island, Owen Point, and
part of the calf pasture are not available for bird-watching on those
days, and High Bluff Island is temporarily off limits
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road,
R.R. #4,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
